By Goodluck Ikiebe
Nigeria’s organized Labour Unions have commended Nigerians for the massive support and success of the protest against the hardships faced in the country, owing to the harsh policies of President Tinubu’s administration.
The Unions commended members and Nigerians for trooping out enmasse to reject the anti-poor and anti- people policies of the administration, adding however, that with the closed door meeting yesterday(Wednesday) with the President, it is hoped that the government will fulfil its part of the understanding, as agreed upon.
The organized labour further lamented the contempt suit against it by the government, however assuring government that all Nigerian workers will be ready to be in court to hear such a case.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday titled ” YOU HAVE SPOKEN LOUDLY NIGERIANS: IT RESONATED AND RESOUNDED” jointly signed, by Comrade Joe Ajaero and Comrade Festus Osifo, Presidents of NLC, TUC, respectively.
” We want to appreciate the massive solidarity and support of the Nigerian people, who thronged the various venues around the country in their numbers despite intimidations and blackmails by agents of government and forces of retrogression to discourage them from joining the nationwide protest, which was called to ventilate citizens outrage at the anti-poor and anti-peoples’ policies of the government.
Our hats are doffed at your determination and commitment to saving ourselves and indeed the nation from those whose only interest is to foist continuous deprivation and suffering on Nigerians.
” The message you have sent today is a strong demonstration of our collective resolve as patriots and owners of the sovereign will to demand that those who occupy the corridors of power must listen to us. You have sent a very strong, loud and clear signal to those occupying the various government houses be it at the federal or State that the people remain the sovereign and the barometer for measuring that resides with the trade union movement, who have continued to be the bastion of that collective will.
” The NLC and TUC also appreciate the timely intervention of the leadership of the National Assembly for their pledge to resolving the issues raised by the Nigerian people and for their deep understanding of the need for Government to provide quick wins as succor with short timelines to ameliorate the consequences of the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on the citizens.
” It is also important that we inform Nigerians that we have just received a Court summons purporting to charge us with contempt of Court. We urge all Nigerians to be vigilant because it appears that the days of long knives are here with us again. The leadership remains resolute in its commitment to the protection of the interests and welfare of the Nigerian people and nothing whatsoever can take our eyes away from this focus nor shake this belief.
” Having demonstrated our collective resolve through the strong signal we sent today across Nigeria, we urge vigilance on the part of all workers and masses to protect our nation and our decisions while we await the response of the Government through the National Assembly as was assured by their representatives during the protest.
” To further show our collective resolve, All Nigerian workers will resume at the Courts wherever they may be across the nation on the days of the Court sittings to hear the contempt proceedings against the leaders of trade unions. The Airports, the Seaports, the Hospitals, Schools; all public and private sector workers will all appear in Court across the nation in response to the Contempt charges.
” Once again, we look forward to the continuing support of all Nigerians and workers around the country as we continue in this struggle for freedom from the clutches of oppression and impoverishment.
We must remain unwavering and together refusing to allow them divide us so that collectively, we will build a nation where, no one will be considered too small to be left behind.
” It is pertinent to inform Nigerians that the extent of the success of the protest is underlined by the request of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu to meet with the leadership of the NLC and TUC in a closed-door session. The engagement was fruitful that immense mileage was gotten with regards to the issues that bogged down the work of the Presidential Committee on Subsidy removal and necessitated the protest viz;
” He is committed to an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders.
He let out a certainty that the Portharcourt Refinery will commence production by December this year.
He pledged to ensure that Agreement is reached on the Wage Award for Nigerian workers immediately.
He promised to unveil a workable roadmap to the CNG alternative next week.
On the strength of the President’s pledge and commitment, we have decided for a return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation. Once again, we thank Nigerians while we wait for the Government to fulfill its own part of the understanding as agreed with His Excellency; the President.” the Statement added.
